Switch type terminal block



March 2, 1965 G. USTlN swrrcn TYPE TERMINAL BLOCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25. 1961 March 2, 1965 G. USTIN 3,171,939

SWITCH TYPE TERMINAL BLOCK Filed May 25, 1961 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY March 2, 1965 G. USTIN SWITCH TYPE TERMINAL BLOCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 25. 1961 I lh. (44 H mhlm 50 l' k hl lNVE N TO R 9 50!?! var/1v ATTORNE United States Patent "ice 3,171,939 SWITCH TYPE TERMINAL BLOCK George Ustin, Verona, NJ, assignor to Buchanan Electrical Products Corporation, Hillside, N..l., a corporation of New Jersey Filed May 25, 1961, Ser. No. 121,279 4 Claims. (Cl. 200162) This invention relates to special purpose electricalterminal blocks and more particularly to an improved construction for a circuit breaker type sectional terminal block.

Terminal block structures which are built up from a number of interengaged terminal block sections and on which are positioned connector elements well known in the art, as shown in US. Patent No. 2,981,923 issued to George Ustin on April 25, 1961. However, circuit breakers which are adapted to be positioned on terminal blocks have heretofore been secured to the blocks by screws, bolts or other attaching hardware thereby making it difficult to interchange parts of the circuit breakers as conditions change. Also, with prior known devices, there has always been the danger of someone inadvertently closing the circuit breaker when a repairman is working on a remote section of the circuit thereby injuring the repairman.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide improved circuit breaker type sectional terminal blocks.

It is another object of this invention to proivde circuit breaker assemblies which can be easily mounted on and removed from terminal blocks and which have certain parts which can be removed by a repairman to guard against accidental closing.

It is also an object of this invention to provide improved circuit breaker type sectional terminal blocks which have interchangeable terminal or wire receiving portions to accommodate different sizes and shapes of conductors and which have reversible parts.

It is a further'object of this invention to provide circuit breakers which are adapted to be mounted on terminal blocks without the use of auxiliary hardware such as screws or bolts but which are held in "self-sustaining relationship.

This invention may be briefly described as a circuit breaker assembly for mounting on an electrical terminal block which includes a pair of clip assemblies each including a clip portion and a terminal or wire receiving portion. A blade member is removably mounted in one or the other of the clip portions so as to engage or disengage the other clip portion to thereby open or close a circuit. The circuit breaker is removably mounted on a terminal block so that parts of the circuit breaker can be interchanged to accommodate different size conductors.

The novel features of this device, both as to its structure and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be more fully under stood from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a circuit breaker assembly mounted on a terminal block according to the present invention with the blade member shown in full lines in the engaged position and in phantom in a disengaged position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an end section and three body sections on each of which is mounted a different type contact.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the combination of sections shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a circuit breaker 3,171,939 Patented Mar. 2, 1965 assembly with the blade disengaged from both clip assemblies.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 except with the circuit breaker assembly removed.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the end section according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view taken along the line of 88 of FIG. 3 with the circuit breaker assembly removed.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, a circuit breaker type sectional terminal block 10 is illustrated which includes an end section 12 and at least one body section 14 having mounted thereon a circuit breaker assembly 16 which includes two clip assemblies 13 each including a terminal or wire contact receiving member 18, a clip member 20 and a strap 15 electrically connecting members 18 and 20 and holding the same in spaced relation. Assemblies 13 on each body section 14 are adapted to be connected by a blade 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, body section 14 is formed with a base portion 24 and a rib portion 26 which extends upward at a right angle thereto adjacent one end thereof. Base portion 24 is provided with a contact supporting surface 28, for each clip assembly 13, a fiat basal surface 30 disposed substantially parallel and in spaced relation thereto and complementally shaped interfitting front and rear surfaces 32 and 34, respectively, which permit interlocking assembly of a plurality of sections with the rib portions 26 of the sections in parallel spaced array. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, front surface 32 is provided with ledge or shoulder 36 overhanging an undercut portion 38, the center of which is formed with a recess 48 which has a curved upper surface 42 for receiving the head 41 of a screw or bolt 43 in a manner to be hereinafter described. The rear surface 34 is complementally shaped with an upper cut away portion 44 sized and shaped to receive the shoulder 36 of an adjacent section and a lower portion 46 sized and shaped to be received in the under cut portion 38, of an adjacent section. An integral boss 48, which has a groove 50 therethrough for receiving such a screw or bolt, extends outwardly from the lower portion 46 and is adapted to be positioned in recess 40 to facilitate alignment of the sections.

Supporting surfaces 28 (see FIGS. 1 and 6) are separated by an integral block or projection 52 which extends from the rib portion 26. Each side of the block 52 is formed with a recess 54 for a purpose which will be later described. Extending out in a perpendicular direction from the rib portion 26 and overhanging each surface 28 is a projection 60, each having an under surface 62 spaced from its associated supporting surface 28 so that portions of the circuit breaker assembly 16, to be hereinafter described, can be press fit between the projections 60 and the supporting surfaces 28 thereby eliminating the need for separate means for securing the circuit breaker assembly 16 to the terminal block 10.

In order to enclose the end supporting surfaces 28 in a series of interfitted sections 14, there is provided an end section 12, illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 8, which has a vertical wall portion 64 and a base portion 66 perpendicular thereto. End section 12 is symmetrical with each side 68 and 70 being similar to rear surface 34 of body section 14 so that either side 68 or 70 can be interfitted with the front surface 32 of a body section 14 to thereby enclose the electrical element assembly supporting surfaces 28. An exposed boss 71 of end section 12 in cooperation with the exposed boss 48 on the rear surface 34 of the last section in any interfitting series of sections 14, conveniently provides means by which the series of sections can be secured to a panel as well as holding the sections in interengagement.

mounted on each section 14, with one contact'orclip assembly 13 associated with each supporting surface 28. More particularly, the two clip assemblies 13 of each circuit breaker assembly 16 are located on opposite sides of projection 52; The clip assembly 13 associatedwith each surface 28 has its clip member 20 between projection SZandprojection 60 overhanging that surface28, its member 18 on the opposite side of that projection 60 and itsv As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there are a number of dif-' ferent types of Contact members which can be used, de-

' pending on the type of conductor to be encountered but for purposes of illustration; the tubular type contact shown at the left of FIG. 2 and in FIG. 4 will be de scribed in detail. As shown'in FIG. 4, strap 15 is a'flat.

rectangular member formed with a projection 75 at the center thereof which is adapted to be positioned between one of the contact supporting surfaces 28. and the projection 6.0 overhanging that surface 28 to properly position and align the clip assembly 13 on the surface 28. One end of the strap 15 is staked into the bottom of an opening T8 in the tubular type contact member 18 and a set screw 80 is positioned inathreadedv opening in the top of the contact member 18 to secure a conductor placed in the opening78i to the strap 15. Clip member 20 is of one piece construction having a base portion 84 and a clip portion 86 which includes two juxtapositioned resilient arms. are bent outward in order to allow for easy insertion of blade 22 and one of the arms. at the lower end of the clip portion is tabbed 89 inwardly to limit the insertion. of the blade 22. Also, one arm in each clip portion 86 has a circular opening 90 therethrough which is adapted to receive a portion of blade 22 in a manner to be hereinafter described. The bottom surface .of the base portion 84 has an opening through whicha rivet 91 (see FIG. projects to secure the clip member 20 to the strap 74. Clip member 20 is also formed with a tab 92 which extends out past the end of the strap" and is positioned in recess 54 to align the clip assembly 13 on its supporting surface 28. It will be evident from the above description that the particular configuration ofthe clip member is not critical except for the opening 90 by which the blade 22 is retained therein.

Referring now to FIG. 3, blade 22 is illustrated as an elongated thin rectangular. member. Blade 22 has a serrated. portion (not shown). extending out from one edge by which a handle member 96 is attached thereto. Adjacent one end, on one side of the blade 22 is a projection 98 which is of substantially .the same diameter as the opening 90 in clip portion 86 and which is adapted to be releasably retainedtherein. 7

Handle mmeber 96, which can bemade from a number of different types of'insulating material, has an elongated body section formed with a split opening in the bottom surface for receiving the serrated portion to connect it to the blade 22 and also a fiat upper surface. 100 which can be used for identification marks. member 96 extends along the greater portion of the edge of the blade 22 as shown in FIG. 3, so that when the blade is in contact with both clip members 20, the handle member 96 prevents a person fromaccidently touch- Ling the blade and getting a shock. One end of the handle member 96 is of a reduced thickness so that a ridge 102 is provided for easily gripping the handle todisengage the blade 22.

To assemble the above described circuit breaker, two clip assemblies 13 are mounted on each section 14 as heTeIQ QIS lescrihed. The type of contact member used The outer ends 88: of the clip portion 86 will depend on the type of conductor encountered and in some circumstances, one type of contact, such as the one illustrated at the right of FIG. 3, Will be used in one clip assembly 13 and a different type of contact, such asshown V at the left of FIG. 3, in the other clip assembly 13. After the clip assemblies are positioned as aforesaid, the end of the blade 22. which is formed with the projection 98 is inserted between the arms of one of the clip portions 86 with the projection snapping in theopening 90. The blade is then easily pivoted at the projection 98- to engage the other clip assembly of the same circuit breaker assembly 16, thereby making or breaking a circuit. If a workman wishes to prevent someone from accidently closing the circuit, he merely has to remove the blade which is only releasably retained. 7

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have described an improved circuit breaker type sectional terminalblockr While I have illustrated and described various forms of assemblies, it will, no doubt,

be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in theparticular forms described, andthat Hence, 'I desire that the foregoing shall be What is claimed is: r

l. A circuit breaker assembly for mounting on an electrical terminal block comprising a pair of clip assemblies,

each clip assembly including a contact member for connecting said'circuitbreaker to a circuit and a clip member, one said clip member including confronting first and second portions, the first portion being resiliently biased toward the second portion, an aperture in one of said portions, and a relatively rigid blade, a projection on the portion against said end tending to maintain the project-ion journaled within the aperture for pivotal movement of the blade into engagement-with or disengagement from V the other clip member and allowing selective release of The handle said projection and said end from the aperture and the corresponding clip member, respectively, by virtue of movement of said first portion away from said' second portion.

2. A circuit breaker assembly for mounting on an electrical terminal block comprising a pair of clip assemblies, each clip assembly including a contact member for connecting said circuit breaker to a circuit and a clip member, one said clip member including confronting first and second portions, the first portion being resiliently biased toward the second portion, an aperture in one of said portions, a relatively rigid blade, a projection on the blade adjacent one end of said blade, said end being receivedbetween said first and second portions with the projection journaled in the aperture and said end urging said first portion'away. from said second portion such that a resilient biasing force is established by said first portion against said end tending to maintain the projection journaled within the aperture for pivotal movement of the blade into engagement with or disengagement from the other clip member and allowing selective release of said projection and said end from the aperture and the corresponding clip member, respectively, by virtue of movement of said firstportion away from said second portion,

and means fixed to said blade for providing a grip to allow said blade to be selectivelyreleased from said clip members, said means including an insulating member attached to one edge of the blade. and extending therealong to protect against electrical contact with the blade along said edge;

3. An electrical terminal block comprising first and second sections of insulating material, said first section having a first end including a contact supporting surface,

said second section having a second end for interengagement with said first end of said first section, means for holding said sections together, said first end having a pair of spaced projections integral with said first section, a circuit breaker assembly comprising a pair of clip assemblies each including a contact member for connecting said circuit breaker to a circuit and a clip member, a web portion in each clip assembly interconnecting each said contact member and a corresponding clip member, each of said pair of spaced projections overlapping with a web portion for securing said clip assemblies on said first terminal block section, one said clip member including confronting first and second portions, the first portion being resiliently biased toward the second portion, an aperture in one of said portions, a relatively rigid blade, a projection on the blade adjacent one end of said blade, said end being received between said first and second portions with the projection journaled in the aperture and said end urging said first portion away from said second portion such that a resilient biasing force is established by said first portion against said end tending to maintain the projection journaled within the aperture for pivotal movement of the blade into engagement with or disengagement from the other clip member and allowing selective release of said projection and said end from the aperture and the corresponding clip member, respectively, by virtue of movement of said first portion away from said second portion, and means fixed to said blade for providing a grip to allow said blade to be selectively released from said clip member, said means including an insulating member attached to one edge of the blade and extending therealong to protect against electrical contact with the blade along said edge.

4. In a circuit breaker assembly, a clip member and a relatively rigid blade, said clip member including confronting first and second arms resiliently biased toward one another, an aperture in one of said arms, a projection on the blade adjacent one end of said blade, said blade being received between the first and second arms with the projection journaled in the aperture and said and urging said first arm away from said second arm such that a resilient biasing force is established by said first arm against said end tending to maintain the projection journaled within the aperture for pivotal movement of the blade relative to said clip member and allowing selective release of said projection and said end from the aperture and the clip member, respectively, by virtue of movement of the first arm away from the second arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,110,696 Blakeslee Mar. 15, 1938 2,498,531 Cole Feb. 21, 1950 2,874,338 Pease Feb. 17, 1959 3,093,712 Walsh et al June 11, 1963 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate of Correction Patent No. 3,171,939 March 2, 1965 George Ustin It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the drawings, Sheets 1 and 2, FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 thereof should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

l J ,1 eg t, 40 e H l J fir L'Hl ml l' 36 J "T" '1 ecolumn 2, line 44, for FIGS. 1 and 6 read -FIG. 6-; column 3, line 43, for 74 read 15; column 6, before line 24, insert the following references:

810,527 George Jan. 23, 1906 1,491,278 Siebert Apr. 22, 1934 1,971,392 Carlisle Aug. 28, 1934 same column 6, line 24, for 2,110,696 read 2,110,96 Signed and sealed this 24th day of August 1965.

[SEAL] Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER, EDWARD J. BRENNER, Attestz'ng Oficer. Commissioner of Patents. 

1. A CIRCUIT BREAKER ASSEMBLY FOR MOUNTING ON AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL BLOCK COMPRISING A PAIR OF CLIP ASSEMBLIES, EACH CLIP ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A CONTACT MEMBER FOR CONNECTING SAID CIRCUIT BREAKER TO A CIRCUIT AND A CLIP MEMBER, ONE SAID CLIP MEMBER INCLUDING CONFRONTING FIRST AND SECOND PORTIONS, THE FIRST PORTION BEING RESILIENTLY BIASED TOWARD THE SECOND PORTION, AN APERTURE IN ONE OF SAID PORTIONS, AND A RELATIVELY RIGID BLADE, A PROJECTION ON THE BLADE ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID BLADE, SAID END BEING RECEIVED BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND PORTIONS WITH THE PROJCTION JOURNALED IN THE APERTURE AND SAID END URGING SAID FIRST PORTION AWAY FROM SAID SECOND PORTION SUCH THAT A RESILIENT BIASING FORCE IS ESTABLISHED BY SAID FIRST PORTION AGAINST SAID END TENDING TO MAINTAIN THE PROJECTION JOURNALED WITHIN THE APERTURE FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE BLADE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH OR DISENGAGEMENT FROM 